Board members discuss issues with academic boosters

Megan EdwardsPublished: October 6, 2006 12:00AM

By MEGAN EDWARDS
T-G Staff Writer
From the levy to the future of district buildings, several members of the Ashland City Schools board of education gave their take on various district issues at an Academic Boosters Club meeting this week.
Before three members of the board President James Wolfe, Martha Pendleton and Rick Ewing spoke on various issues, Bob Hill, a member of the Citizens for Ashland City Schools, talked about the upcoming 9.9-mill renewal operating levy on Novembers ballot.
This is Hills sixth levy campaign in four years, he said, and of those campaigns, voters approved three of five issues.
This is not a new tax and not a bond issue, Hill said. You will pay the same taxes.
The message of the levy campaign this year, Hill said, is the outstanding quality of schools. He noted the district has done well on the state report card, as two of the elementary schools and the high school all have ranked excellent.
After Hills presentation, board President James Wolfe remarked on the future of the district and how the levy will benefit the district.
If we can pass the levy, then we can really look at eight-plus years of financial stability, Wolfe said. This completely changes our opportunity. We have an opportunity to change the dynamic in the district instead of being focused on raising money and we can continue on being frugal with money.
Board member Rick Ewing stressed that the district needs to look at both sides of the levy.
The converse is if the levy fails, instead of bringing in $4.2 million, thats a $4.2 million loss, Ewing said.
Wolfe expressed his excitement over the new Chinese language instruction being offered at the high school. The opportunity, he said, will provide students with a leg up in their career.
There are some languages that will give students a step ahead, Wolfe said. Anything we can do to help children understand that we live in an age that the golden key that unlocks the door is a college education, the more we can help them go on to college. If we cant get them into some form of higher education, then weve shorted them.
Board member Martha Pendleton emphasized not every student is college-bound, and those students need help to survive in the world.
We definitely need to offer things here which will help these kids to function and survive in the world, Pendleton said. Ideally, everyone should go to college but for a variety of reasons, not everyone can.
While some in the audience pointed out the importance of technology, science and math in todays education, others, such as Sue Wagner, worried the right-brain would be pushed aside.
I worry sometimes that our social studies and English will take a back step, Wagner said. Liberal arts is important for democracy. We have to have knowledge in a lot of things to succeed.
Ewing agreed, adding character education is also important.
If you have that foundation, the basis of education, it allows you to do so much more, he added.
The board members then discussed the future of the districts facilities. The success of the upcoming levy could be a telling factor, Pendleton said.
If this levy passes and we are in good financial shape, people will be more open in two to three years, when theyre not hammered for money, to look at new buildings, she said.
However, Booster Club member Kim Calhoun suggested the board refrain from saying a renewal levy would keep the district from not asking the community for money in eight years.
I know you separate them out, but it doesnt mean anything to the community who is digging into their pockets, Calhoun said.
Board members agreed and said the future is always unknown, especially, Ewing added, assuming the state doesnt change the funding structure for education.
Teacher and Booster Club member Dan Rueger asked board members whether they believe the district should provide anything else to the community besides education.
The reverse question is what would be the component that held a community together without schools? Ewing said. If there is no engagement between the community and school, then you have problems that exist in some communities.
Schools, Pendleton said, are the social center of a community and many folks attend and follow the events of the district.
n Megan Edwards can be reached at 419-281-0581, ext. 239, or medwards@times-gazette.com.